Ellis is understood to be ready to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, with his current deal set to pay him $8.72m next year if he opts in.

However, a combination of problems in Dallas as well as the possibility of getting more in the open market has ensured that he is likely to test free agency and the suggestion is that he won’t be getting more money from the Mavs if that is the case.

“Ellis should not anticipate that raise coming from the Mavs, who would rather move on than make a major long-term investment in a one-dimensional player whose moodiness and selfishness negatively impacted the team’s chemistry last season, according to source’s with knowledge of the front office’s thought process,” ESPN reports.

It is added that his issues with Chandler Parsons won’t help matters as there were reports of a rift between the pair which was borne out of the fact that the star free agency signing last summer earns almost twice as much as the explosive guard.

Meanwhile, there is also the consideration that must be paid to who the Mavs target in free agency themselves with both DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge linked with a switch as they aim to bolster their frontcourt.

While other additions will also likely be made, it remains to be seen how they would manage the salary cap space, and that could in turn see Ellis allowed to test the market and move on where he would potentially secure a more lucrative deal.

In contrast, it may play out in the opposite way as if Dallas miss out on their targets, then they could well give Ellis more to come back and try to go for another championship run.